• Sportzyverse
• Cricket news
• 06/05/2024
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Former Pakistani cricketer Rashid Latif has stepped forward to defend Azam Khan amidst a storm of criticism directed at the young player regarding his fitness. Despite being a regular presence in Pakistan’s T20I squad in 2024 and securing a spot in their T20 World Cup 2024 lineup, Azam Khan has faced significant backlash for what some perceive as subpar performances throughout his career.

https://x.com/WisdenCricket/status/1798436521978241052

Reacting to Azam’s lacklustre scores, Latif emphasized the immense pressure the 25-year-old is facing due to body shaming and online trolling. Despite his struggles, Latif praised Azam’s batting prowess, highlighting his ability as a clean hitter who excels against spinners and has honed his skills against pacers. Expressing sympathy for Azam’s predicament, Latif condemned the relentless trolling directed at the young cricketer, asserting that such treatment is unnecessary for him being so young.

Latif also weighed in on Azam’s fielding abilities, suggesting that if Azam is unable to contribute to the field, he should not be considered for playing XI. Latif advocated for Mohammad Rizwan to take over the wicketkeeping duties, emphasizing the importance of fielding proficiency for all players. Drawing from Azam’s previous experiences playing as a fielder under Sarfaraz Ahmed for Quetta Gladiators, Latif cautioned against overlooking Rizwan’s capabilities behind the stumps.

If Azam is not able to field then he doesn’t deserve to be in the XI: Rashid Latif

Delving into Azam’s previous performance, Latif highlighted the young cricketer’s significant contributions to the Pakistan Super League (PSL). With 1140 runs from 50 innings at an average of 25.33 and a strike rate of 146.90, including six fifties, Azam has proven his worth in domestic T20 cricket. However, Azam’s shortcomings, particularly in wicketkeeping during the recent series against England, have garnered attention. Latif noted Azam’s struggles in preventing balls from passing him, underscoring the need to improve his fielding skills.

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In light of the backlash, Azam Khan is anticipated to transition to a pure batting role as Pakistan embarks on their T20 World Cup campaign, beginning with a match against co-hosts USA on June 6. Despite Azam’s challenges, Latif remains optimistic about the young cricketer’s potential, urging for a supportive environment that nurtures his talents rather than subjecting him to undue criticism.